Behavior of nuclear waste elements during hydrothermal alteration of glassy rhyolite in an active geothermal system: Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

The behavior of a group of nuclear waste elements (U, Th, Sr, Zr, Sb, Cs, Ba, and Sm) during hydrothermal alteration of glassy rhyolite is investigated through geochemical analyses of whole rocks, glass and mineral separates, and thermal waters. Significant enrichments of U, Sr, Sb, Cs, and Ba are found in altered rock relative to unaltered rock. Excess Sr, Cs, and Ba are concentrated in zeolites in altered rock. Excess U is associated with titanomagnetite surfaces. Th, Zr, and Sm are relatively immobile during alteration, and are strongly concentrated in celadonite. 19 refs., 2 figs., 2 tabs